Veganism is a lifestyle that excludes consumption of all animal products. This includes all food items produced by any animal as well as clothing where for instance both wool and leather is excluded. The Vegan Society of New South Wales defines ‘veganism’ the following way: Veganism is a way of living on the products of the plant kingdom to the exclusion of all products from the animal kingdom. A vegan is a total vegetarian who consumes no animal by-products. [1]
Veganism can be seen as a version of vegetarianism that is taken even further, since it does not concentrate solely on specific food items but is seen more as an entire lifestyle[2] . Vegetarianism is defined as a diet excluding all meat and seafood [3] . Since vegan consumption includes every consumed item from cosmetics, cleaning products to clothes it has a significantly larger impact on the lifestyle and consumption behaviour than vegetarianism has[4] . Both veganism and vegetarianism heavily criticises the keeping of farmed and domesticated animals.
Veganism and food
The most common reason to live a vegan lifestyle is an increased awareness of cruelty towards animals and their exploitation in industrial processes. Reasons for vegan diet include health, environmental concerns, animal right concerns. Another reason, even if not so common, is that its cheaper to eat vegetarian or vegan than meat. Reasons for avoiding other animal products such as leather or wool are most often a concern for animal well being.
Lately veganism out of environmental concerns has been trending after the film Cowspiracy gained great attention. Environmental challenges are strengthened by meatconsumption. These challenges include water shortages, global warming, land degradation, deforestation, ocean degradation, food shortages, species extinction and population growth are just some of these important issues and veganism is seen as part of the solution.[5] . Another recent trend in veganism is health consciousness [6] . Vegans motivated by environmental concerns might look for different alternatives to animal products than vegans motivated by other reasons. An example of this is common leather substitutes made from the environmentally harmful PVC plastics which might still be a normal thing to consume for many vegans[7] . Vegans usually fill their need for protein adequately by eating products like red lentils, canned legumes, soy beans, nuts, pumpkin seeds, wholegrain cereals, grainy bread and grains like quinoa. [8]
Whereas vegetarian diets have overall positive health effects, a vegan diet is more likely to result in lack of some vitamins or minerals. A healthy vegan diet requires access to a wide range of plant based amino acids [9] . This implies than vegans need to be educated about nutritional needs and have a lifestyle that makes it possible to access nutritional vegan meals in their daily lives.
Veganism and SDG Zero hunger
A vegan diet uses less natural resources than an omnivorous diet[10] . This relates to the Sustainable Development Goal Zero hunger. A common moral argument for veganism is to make sure there is enough food for everyone globally[11] . World population is estimated to become close to 10 billion within the next 40 years and a large concern is how to be able to provide food for everyone[12] . Veganism would globally make sure food can be produced more resource efficiently[13] .
However, this statement might not hold true on a local level in the countries that are most struck by famine crises. This is because livestock and the consumption of animal products in these countries can be seen as an insurance against crop failure.[14]
Critique
Veganism has been criticized for health reasons and the lack of nutritions avoiding such large food groups might result in[15] . Even from an environmental point of view, researchers have pointed out that although veganism is more resource efficient from a global point of view, this might not be true for individual geographic locations[16] .
Many vegan products, such as tofu have received lots of criticism because of the unsustainable production of soy beans.[17] There are arguments that a vegan diet does not use less natural resources[18] . Veganism is often critiqued for being a privilege of urban people in western countries, whereas rural people in developing countries who use much less natural resources in total and also are more likely to suffer from famine catastrophes, are little helped by shifting to a vegan diet. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa natural resources can, in many cases, be more efficiently used if livestock is raised rather than relying solely on cultivation.[19]
Animal food products also contain high nutritional value[20] and denying people that already suffer from malnutrition access to animal products might severely work against SDG 2.
This means veganism in developing countries might not help to achieve SDG 2 Zero Hunger. However, if global food markets are taken into account, the saving of natural resources in rich countries would allow for increased food export from regions with oversupply, to regions with undersupply. This view is presented by Barack Obama (2008) in the video below.
Corporate praxis and the vegan label
Veganism can be seen as a form of ethical consumerism. Understanding different motivations for veganism may enable companies to provide more individualized service and food marketers to tap more powerfully into a growing market[21] . Products are often labeled with the European V-label[22] . This label is especially popular for identifying things such as cosmetics, where it is not immediately clear whether it might contain animal products.
The market for vegan products has grown massively in the past years. Industrially produced vegan food, such as vegans pre-baked doughnuts and vegan imitations of seafood have become market hits[23]
Examples from Finland
Vegan products have become more available in Finland since their popularity has increased among non-vegans. These foods are often sold as sustainable alternatives to meat. Examples are Pulled Oats[24] and Versos Härkis minced meat replacement[25] .
These products have become widely popular. One for this is believed to be an efficient communication about the environmental and health effects of plant-based foods. Another explanation is that meat-like products easily can replace meat, without requiring the consumer to change habits such as which recipes to cook. A third reason for the popularity in Finland for Pulled Oats and Härkis is that they are Finnish products, and nationally produced food enjoys a good reputation in Finland. [26]
Pulled Oats source their ingredients locally, and advertise themselves as a sustainable choice. The ingredients such as oats and the beans can be produced through the traditional, sustainable agricultural method of sharecropping.
Gabe Bronk and Arthur Su. July , 2006.The environmental benefits of vegetarianism. Available: :greendecade.thomashboyd.com/download/environmentpage/vegetarianism.pdf
Ira Ahokas, Marko Ahvenainen, Pasi Pohjolainen & Tuomas Kuhmonen 2016 PROTEIINIKYSYMYS JA SEN RATKAISUMAHDOLLISUUDET SUOMESSA :www.utu.fi/fi/yksikot/ffrc/julkaisut/e-tutu/Documents/eTutu_4-2016.pdf
^ Christel L Larssona, , Ulla Rönnlunda, Gunnar Johanssona, Lars Dahlgrenb. 2003
as status passage: The process of becoming a vegan among youths in Sweden
://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019566630300045X
^ 2015 Veganism, Identity and the Quest for Authenticity
^ Craig WJ , Mangels AR , American Dietetic Association 2009.
://europepmc.org/abstract/med/19562864
^ Healey, Justin. Vegetarianism, edited by Justin Healey, The Spinney Press, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central, .
Created from hanken-ebooks on 2017-01-31 07:49:23.
^ Healey, Justin. Vegetarianism, edited by Justin Healey, The Spinney Press, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central, .
Created from hanken-ebooks on 2017-01-31 07:49:23.
^ UN 2015 World population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050http:www.un.org/en/development/desa/news/population/2015-report.html
^ Gabe Bronk and Arthur Su
July , 2006.
The environmental benefits of vegetarianism
://greendecade.thomashboyd.com/download/environmentpage/vegetarianism.pdf
^ Soybean cultivation as a threat to the environment in Brazil
Philip M. Fearnside. 2001
://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/environmental-conservation/article/soybean-cultivation-as-a-threat-to-the-environment-in-brazil/191311DBCD27A85DBF0782E989956867
^ Ira Ahokas, Marko Ahvenainen, Pasi Pohjolainen & Tuomas Kuhmonen 2016
PROTEIINIKYSYMYS JA SEN RATKAISUMAHDOLLISUUDET SUOMESSA
://www.utu.fi/fi/yksikot/ffrc/julkaisut/e-tutu/Documents/eTutu_4-2016.pdf
Definition:
Veganism is a lifestyle that excludes consumption of all animal products. This includes all food items produced by any animal as well as clothing where for instance both wool and leather is excluded. The Vegan Society of New South Wales defines ‘veganism’ the following way: Veganism is a way of living on the products of the plant kingdom to the exclusion of all products from the animal kingdom. A vegan is a total vegetarian who consumes no animal by-products. [1]
Veganism can be seen as a version of vegetarianism that is taken even further, since it does not concentrate solely on specific food items but is seen more as an entire lifestyle[2] . Vegetarianism is defined as a diet excluding all meat and seafood [3] . Since vegan consumption includes every consumed item from cosmetics, cleaning products to clothes it has a significantly larger impact on the lifestyle and consumption behaviour than vegetarianism has[4] . Both veganism and vegetarianism heavily criticises the keeping of farmed and domesticated animals.
Veganism and food
The most common reason to live a vegan lifestyle is an increased awareness of cruelty towards animals and their exploitation in industrial processes. Reasons for vegan diet include health, environmental concerns, animal right concerns. Another reason, even if not so common, is that its cheaper to eat vegetarian or vegan than meat. Reasons for avoiding other animal products such as leather or wool are most often a concern for animal well being.
Lately veganism out of environmental concerns has been trending after the film Cowspiracy gained great attention. Environmental challenges are strengthened by meatconsumption. These challenges include water shortages, global warming, land degradation, deforestation, ocean degradation, food shortages, species extinction and population growth are just some of these important issues and veganism is seen as part of the solution.[5] . Another recent trend in veganism is health consciousness [6] . Vegans motivated by environmental concerns might look for different alternatives to animal products than vegans motivated by other reasons. An example of this is common leather substitutes made from the environmentally harmful PVC plastics which might still be a normal thing to consume for many vegans[7] . Vegans usually fill their need for protein adequately by eating products like red lentils, canned legumes, soy beans, nuts, pumpkin seeds, wholegrain cereals, grainy bread and grains like quinoa. [8]
Whereas vegetarian diets have overall positive health effects, a vegan diet is more likely to result in lack of some vitamins or minerals. A healthy vegan diet requires access to a wide range of plant based amino acids [9] . This implies than vegans need to be educated about nutritional needs and have a lifestyle that makes it possible to access nutritional vegan meals in their daily lives.
Veganism and SDG Zero hunger
A vegan diet uses less natural resources than an omnivorous diet[10] . This relates to the Sustainable Development Goal Zero hunger. A common moral argument for veganism is to make sure there is enough food for everyone globally[11] . World population is estimated to become close to 10 billion within the next 40 years and a large concern is how to be able to provide food for everyone[12] . Veganism would globally make sure food can be produced more resource efficiently[13] .
However, this statement might not hold true on a local level in the countries that are most struck by famine crises. This is because livestock and the consumption of animal products in these countries can be seen as an insurance against crop failure.[14]
Critique
Veganism has been criticized for health reasons and the lack of nutritions avoiding such large food groups might result in[15] . Even from an environmental point of view, researchers have pointed out that although veganism is more resource efficient from a global point of view, this might not be true for individual geographic locations[16] .
Many vegan products, such as tofu have received lots of criticism because of the unsustainable production of soy beans.[17] There are arguments that a vegan diet does not use less natural resources[18] . Veganism is often critiqued for being a privilege of urban people in western countries, whereas rural people in developing countries who use much less natural resources in total and also are more likely to suffer from famine catastrophes, are little helped by shifting to a vegan diet. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa natural resources can, in many cases, be more efficiently used if livestock is raised rather than relying solely on cultivation.[19]
Animal food products also contain high nutritional value[20] and denying people that already suffer from malnutrition access to animal products might severely work against SDG 2.
This means veganism in developing countries might not help to achieve SDG 2 Zero Hunger. However, if global food markets are taken into account, the saving of natural resources in rich countries would allow for increased food export from regions with oversupply, to regions with undersupply. This view is presented by Barack Obama (2008) in the video below.
Corporate praxis and the vegan label
Veganism can be seen as a form of ethical consumerism. Understanding different motivations for veganism may enable companies to provide more individualized service and food marketers to tap more powerfully into a growing market[21] . Products are often labeled with the European V-label[22] . This label is especially popular for identifying things such as cosmetics, where it is not immediately clear whether it might contain animal products.
The market for vegan products has grown massively in the past years. Industrially produced vegan food, such as vegans pre-baked doughnuts and vegan imitations of seafood have become market hits[23]
Examples from Finland
Vegan products have become more available in Finland since their popularity has increased among non-vegans. These foods are often sold as sustainable alternatives to meat. Examples are Pulled Oats[24] and Versos Härkis minced meat replacement[25] .
These products have become widely popular. One for this is believed to be an efficient communication about the environmental and health effects of plant-based foods. Another explanation is that meat-like products easily can replace meat, without requiring the consumer to change habits such as which recipes to cook. A third reason for the popularity in Finland for Pulled Oats and Härkis is that they are Finnish products, and nationally produced food enjoys a good reputation in Finland. [26]
Pulled Oats source their ingredients locally, and advertise themselves as a sustainable choice. The ingredients such as oats and the beans can be produced through the traditional, sustainable agricultural method of sharecropping.
Quiz created by Felicia Aminoff with GoConqr
Open source
PROTEIINIKYSYMYS JA SEN RATKAISUMAHDOLLISUUDET SUOMESSA
:www.utu.fi/fi/yksikot/ffrc/julkaisut/e-tutu/Documents/eTutu_4-2016.pdf
External links
of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets.
http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/19562864
as status passage: The process of becoming a vegan among youths in Sweden
://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019566630300045X
- Jessica Greenebaum
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175174412X13190510222101*http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0309174014002769
2015 Meat morals: relationship between meat consumption consumer attitudes towards human and animal welfare and moral behavior*
Jessica Greenebaum
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175174412X13190510222101
://europepmc.org/abstract/med/19562864
Created from hanken-ebooks on 2017-01-31 07:49:23.
Created from hanken-ebooks on 2017-01-31 07:49:23.
July , 2006.
The environmental benefits of vegetarianism
://greendecade.thomashboyd.com/download/environmentpage/vegetarianism.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/aug/16/veganism-not-key-sustainable-development-natural-resources-jimmy-smith
Should we reject animal source foods to save the planet? A review of the sustainability of global livestock production
Availible:
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajas/article/view/95627
Philip M. Fearnside. 2001
://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/environmental-conservation/article/soybean-cultivation-as-a-threat-to-the-environment-in-brazil/191311DBCD27A85DBF0782E989956867
Carrying capacity of U.S. agricultural land: Ten diet scenarios
Availible: https://www.elementascience.org/articles/10.12952/journal.elementa.000116/
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/aug/16/veganism-not-key-sustainable-development-natural-resources-jimmy-smith
Nutritional Importance of Animal Source Foods
Availible: :jn.nutrition.org/content/133/11/3932S.short
Sarah R. Hoffmana, , , ,
Sarah F. Stallingsa,
Raymond C. Bessingera,
Gary T. Brooksb
https://www.v-label.eu/the-v-label
://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8093-vegan-businesses.html
PROTEIINIKYSYMYS JA SEN RATKAISUMAHDOLLISUUDET SUOMESSA
://www.utu.fi/fi/yksikot/ffrc/julkaisut/e-tutu/Documents/eTutu_4-2016.pdf